Influences are the ideas, goals, and feelings of a character. These influences come through life in various ways from new relationships, opinions, and knowledge. Influence is used to help determine what kind of arguments will affect your character. An influence is usually written as a one line description of an idea or relationship the character has. An influence is always something of some importance to the character. A character should never have an influence they don't care about, otherwise it's not an influence on their character. Influences tend to fit into one of four categories: Traits: These are the personality traits of a character. They often define small but significant aspects of a character's personality. ("Is always the most level headed person in the room", "Quick to flirt with anyone attractive", "Duty before fun") Ideals: These are the beliefs and drives of a character. These are typically strong feelings the character maintains and will often change how a character reacts in a situation. ("No one can tell me what to do", "Traditions from my home must always be maintained") Bonds: These are the people a character has connections with. They are most often characters you care about but can also be represented by a group. ("My spouse", "My guildmates") Goals: These are the objectives the character wishes to fulfil. They are often concrete and related to a specific task in the near future. ("I must free the hostages", "I want to kill all the rats in the basement") Most characters will begin play with at least one Trait, Ideal, and Bond. A character can gain or lose influences as their story progresses. This is most often with goals as a character's goals change and fluctuate as they receive information, but is not limited to the other types. All Influences are given a severity associated with them. This represents how much of an effect the specific influence has on the character. These severities are Low, Moderate, and High. When a character attempts a request check, their check is modified by any influences the target has that are relevant to the persuasion. An influence in support of the persuasion will add its severity as a bonus to the check. Likewise, an influence that is opposing to a persuasion with add its severity as a penalty. Only the most supportive influence and most opposing influence may affect any one persuasion roll. A low severity influence is usually notable in the short term and not important to who that character is. These influences can be long term goals but are also often fleeting desires from the moment they are formed. These influences grant 1 advantage or disadvantage on social checks that leverage the influence. They also add or remove 1d6 to an associated request check. A moderate severity influence are typically formed long term and have a hold on the character's convictions and desires. These influences can sway decisions even when tangentially related to a situation. Moderate influences often dicate how the character lives their daily lives. These influences can usually be leveraged to persuade a character to work outside of their self interest and stick their neck out for a greater cause. These influences grant 2 advantages or disadvantages on social checks that leverage the influence. They also add or remove 1d6+5 to an associated request check. High severity influences are the most important beliefs, relationships, and goals of a character. These define who they are as a person, often guiding their behavior in all aspects of their lives. They can persuade a character to take great action that may even alter their own lives. These influences grant 3 advantages or disadvantages on social checks that leverage the influence. They also add or remove 1d6+10 to an associated request check.